Khelo India Winter Games 2026 open in Leh
The sixth Khelo India Winter Games opened at NDS Stadium, Leh, on 20 January 2026, with Ladakh hosting the ice-sports leg for the third time.
Summary
Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta declared the Games open at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium, Leh. The Ladakh phase covers ice sports such as skating and hockey and runs until 26 January, with figure skating added to the ice skating programme for the first time. About 1,060 athletes and coaches are taking part. The leg is organised by Ladakh's Youth Services and Sports department under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India. The snow leg will be held in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, later in the year.
Key facts
- Edition
- 6th Khelo India Winter Games
- Opened
- 20 January 2026, NDS Stadium, Leh
- Declared open by
- Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta
- Ladakh leg ends
- 26 January 2026
- New event
- Figure skating (first time)
- Participants
- About 1,060 athletes and coaches
- Snow leg
- Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which edition of the Khelo India Winter Games opened in Leh on 20 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Sixth
PIB (Sports): the curtains went up on the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at NDS Stadium, Leh.
Which event was added to the ice skating programme of the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Figure skating
PIB (Sports): figure skating has been added to the ice skating programme for the first time.
Consider the following statements about the Khelo India Winter Games 2026: 1. This is the third time Ladakh is hosting the Games. 2. The Ladakh leg was declared open by the Union Sports Minister. 3. The snow leg is to be held in Gulmarg. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Sports): Ladakh is hosting KIWG for the third time and the snow leg will be in Gulmarg; the Games were declared open by Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta, while Dr Mansukh Mandaviya sent a message.